Traveling by Bus in Costa Rica

As you already know, bus fares in San José and to surrounding suburbs are very cheap. On urban and inter-urban buses you pay the driver as you board.







Here is a list of where to catch a bus from the center of San José to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Alajuelita Ave. 6 and 8, Calle 8
Aserrí Ave. 4 and 6, Calle 7
Barrio México Ave. 3, Calle 3
Barrio Luján Ave 2, Calles 5 and 7
Calle Blancos Ave. 5, Calles 1 and 3
Coronado Ave. 7, Calle 0
Curridabat Ave. 6, Calles 3 and 5
Desamparados Ave. 4, Calles 5 and 7
Escazú Ave. 0-1, Calle 16
Guadalupe. Ave.3, Calle 0
Hatillos Ave. 2 and 6 Calle 6, Ave. 4 Calle 2
Moravia Ave. 3 Calles 3 and 5
Paso AnchoAve 4 and 6, Calle 2
Pavas Ave. 1, Calles 16 and 20
Sabana Cementerio Ave. 2, Calles 8 and 10
Sabana Estadio Ave.2, Calles 2 and 4
Sabanilla Ave. 0-2, Calle 9
San Pedro Ave. 0, Calles 9 and 11
Santana Ana. Ave. 1 and 3, Calle16
Santo Domingo Ave. 7 and 9, Calles 2
Tibás .Ave. 5 and 7, Calle 13
Tres Riós Avenida Central and 2, Calle 13
Zapote Ave. 2 and 4, Calle 5
Also, for a very low cost ($2- $6, or about $1 per hour of driving time) you can take a bus to almost anywhere in the country. Most Costa Ricans don't own cars, so they depend on buses for traveling to other parts of the country. Riding a bus provides the perfect opportunity to get to know people on a personal basis, see the lovely countryside and learn something about the country and the culture. Most buses used for these longer trips are modern and very comfortable. Unlike some parts of Latin America, Costa Rica's buses are not filled with chickens and other small animals and standing is is NOT allowed. Buses are crowded on weekends and holidays, so buy your tickets in advance or get to the station early. Be sure to check for schedule changes.

Alajuela (A bus every 20 minutes or so) Ave. 2,
Calle 12 and 14 222-5325
Arenal (Buses at 4:15, 8:40, 11:30 am)
Calle 16, Ave. 1 and 3
Cartago (A bus every 10 minutes)
Calle 5, Central Ave.18-20 233-5350
Golfito (Get tickets in advance) Ave. 3-5, Calle 14 221-4214
Heredia (A bus every 5 minutes) Calle 1, Ave. 7 and 9 233-8392
Heredia (Small buses or Busetas) Ave.2, Calles 12 and14 261-7171
Liberia (Get tickets in advance) Calle 14, Ave. 1 and 3 222-1650
Limón (Hourly get tickets in advance on holidays) Calle
Central, six blocks north of the Metropolitan
Cathedral 221-2596 or 223-7811
Nicoya (Get tickets in advance) Calle 14, Ave. 3 and 5 222-2666 Puntarenas (Every 30 minutes. Be early on holidays.)
Calle16, Ave.10 and 12 222-0064
Quepos (Get tickets in advance inside the market)
Coca Cola Terminal 223-5567
San Carlos (A bus every hour) Coca Cola Terminal 255-4318
Santa Cruz Calle 20, Ave.3 and 4. 221-7202
San Isidro del General (Get tickets in advance)
Calle 16, Ave. 1 and 3 222-2422
San Ramón Calle16, Avenidas 10 and 12 222-0064
Sarchí (Coca Cola Terminal, every hour)
Calle 16 and 18, Ave. 1 and 5 494-2139
Southern Border (Paso Canoas, leaves daily)
Ave. 3 and 5, Calle 14 221-4214
Tilarán - (Daily) Calle 12, Ave. 7 and 9 222-3854
Turrialba Calle 13, Ave. 6 and 8 556-0073

* If your destination is not listed, check with a local travel agency or some knowledgeable person who is familiar with bus schedules and knows the different bus stops. There is an Intercity Buses Web page which gives a complete bus schedule. It may be found at: www.yellowweb.co.cr/crbuses.hmtl.

Bus tickets may be purchased on online at: www.Costa RicaBusTicket.com. This company covers most areaas north nd west of San José. You may contact them at: 011-(506) 365-9678.

Interbus (Tel: 283-5573,Fax: 283-7655, E-mailvsftrip@racsa.co.cr, wwwcostaricapass.com) and Fantasy Tour/Gray Line (Tel: 220-2126, Fax: 220-2393, E-mail: fantasy@racsa.co.cr, www.fantasy.co.cr), offer direct tours between many of the country's major tourist attractions.